Plans to build three new downhill runs have been submitted by a Gwynedd tourist attraction, which it is hoped could create new jobs in a former slate quarrying town.

There are currently 19 people employed at the Antur Stiniog mountain bike centre, but if the proposals are approved by Gwynedd Council up to six extra jobs would be created at the facility, which opened its doors in 2014.

But while there are five public trails currently based at Ffestiniog’s Llechwedd Slate Caverns complex, these latest plans would expanded the offering to eight, which is the only purpose-built centre of its kind in Wales with a full uplift service.

In the statement accompanying the full planning application, Adrian Bradley from Antur Stiniog said that the development would “sustain its current workforce, create further employment in the area, benefit local people and the community, and boost the local economy”.

As part of the proposals, a new 1.4km ‘blue’ grade trail would be developed to appeal to family groups and beginners who Antur Stiniog say, make up a “huge proportion” of the mountain bike market but may not possess the necessary skill levels to access their existing trails.

“This will make us more accessible to the local community and allow us to offer training packages to local schools, offer group bookings to families, and grow our bike hire business with the introduction of children’s bikes to the hire fleet to get more young people involved in mountain biking,” the planning statement goes on to note.

Another 1km ‘red’ unsurfaced intermediate trail and 0.7km ‘black’ section would also be developed, with the latter aimed towards more experienced bikers and expected to attract attention from “large-scale event organisers, mountain biking magazines, and online media channels”.

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